Donald Buckman

Donald Ray Buckman 1932-2016 Born September 6, 1932 in Seattle Washington to Donald Levere and Margaret Dow (née Campbell) Buckman, Donald Ray Buckman left this world on April 25, 2016 in the care of the loving hands of the staff at Paradise Hospice. Before he was 10 years of age, he moved with his parents and sister, Marian to Colusa County, and eventually to Butte County where Donald Levere Buckman started the business known as Don Buckman Co. at 830 Cherry St. Donald Ray, growing up in Chico, attended Citrus School and graduated from Chico High School in 1951. He attended Oregon State, transferred to Colorado A&M, but before he could graduate was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving at Ft. Benning, Georgia. At the end of his military career he returned to Chico and worked as a Combustion Engineer for his father's business. Upon his father's death in 1964 he took over the business and eventually sold it. Wizard Manufacturing Inc., came into being in 1979 building walnut hulling and drying equipment for the next 30 years. Retirement in 2009 gave him time to enjoy his other interests. In the early 1960s Don and Lynne Zeeb met through mutual friends. Their marriage took place in January 1964 at Bidwell Presbyterian Church in Chico. They became the parents of two children: Mari Ann and Donald Mark (1966-2015). Years of 4-H, both as a member himself, and as support for his children, had Don involved in a variety of projects. Support of 4-H on a county-wide level via remodeling, rebuilding and revamping the former 4-H Camp at Buck's Lake were of great interest to him. Other activities included obtaining his private pilot's license, member of the Butte Co. Sheriff's Aero Squadron, Chico Hill Sliders Snowmobile Club and an Elks member for 63 years. A member of the Master Trail Riders, serving as President was another facet of his effusive personality. Upon his retirement Don spent many hours in his orchard shop, tinkering, maintaining the yard and property and developing and improving his various orchard properties. He enjoyed pheasant hunting, fishing at Bucks Lake and time at the family cabin as well as years of travel with Lynne in their motor home, as a member of the Elks RV group. Don is predeceased by his parents, Donald and Margaret, sister Marian, and son Mark. He is survived by his widow of 52 years, Lynne, daughter Mari Ann (Steve) Lucena and four grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for Monday, May 2, 2016 at the Chico Elks Lodge at 11:00 am, with a private graveside burial at Glen Oaks. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Don's memory be made to Paradise Hospice, or the Butte Co. 4H Scholarship fund through Brusie Funeral Home.